Besides his NFL accomplishments, Peyton Manning‘s love story will surely uplift your spirits! The former NFL QB himself expressed his love for his beloved wifey, Ashley Thompson, multiple times. “With all her qualities, I think what pleased me most about Ashley, though, was that she liked me for who I was, not what I was,” the former Colts player stated.

From celebrating their love as college sweethearts to becoming a power couple and parents to fraternal twins, the couple has come a long way. Clearly, Ashley has been with him before the Colts selected him as the first pick in 1998. From becoming the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame to becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time with two Super Bowl wins and NFL MVP and Pro Bowl selections, his wife, Ashley, always motivated him throughout behind the scenes.

Who is Ashley Thompson?

Peyton Manning’s wife, Ashley Thompson, is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. She completed her graduation from the University of Virginia in 1997, obtaining a degree in Marketing and Finance. Ashley. Thompson has carved a successful career of her own, highly values her independence and privacy. She once mentioned in her interview with Indianapolis Woman, “I like to stay out of the spotlight; people may think I am aloof, but I’m not…I always let Peyton shine.”

Besides being Mrs. Manning, her entrepreneurship skills are what define her. She is a real estate mogul. Back in 2012, Ashley also became a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, her hometown’s NBA team. She remarked, “As a native of Memphis, it was important to me that the Grizzlies remain in Tennessee and continue to have a positive impact on the community,” as mentioned in Country Living’s article in 2023.

Even Manning was quite supportive of her aspirations, as he stated, “While my focus is on playing quarterback for the Denver Broncos, I look forward to watching her become involved with her hometown team.” And, indeed Peyton and Ashley really complement each other, supporting each other in their personal and professional aspirations.

Peyton Manning and Ashley Thompson: College lovers to life partners

Crossing paths way back in August 1993, when Peyton was a freshman year at the University of Tennessee, the couple became inseperable soon after. Ashley’s parents’ next-door neighbor introduced them to each other during a fraternity party. Writing in his book, Manning: A Father, His Sons, and a Football Legacy, Peyton remarked that he had failed to make a good first impression.

“It was in August, at one of the few fraternity parties I went to. We were introduced and only talked a little while. I didn’t make a big first impression (she said later my pastel shirt was a turnoff),” Peyton’s statement was highlighted in Country Living’s article. Peyton stated that Ashley liked him for who he was.

The couple tied the knot on March 17, 2001, in New Orleans, and it was a grand affair. A decade later, the beautiful couple welcomed twins, Marshall Williams and Mosely Thompson, on March 31, 2011, completing their family.

Peyton and Ashley are also involved in philanthropy, laying the foundation of the PeyBack Foundation in 1999. Not only this, they also support the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent. When Hurricane Katrina caused devastation in 2005, they took to support people in New Orleans.

When Peyton faced a neck injury with three surgeries in 2011, “Ashley was the one that was saying, ‘Peyton, you’ve got to try’,” he remarked. And, he initiated his NFL journey once again, finally retiring in 2016. The Mannings presently live in Denver, Colorado, along with their twins living a satisfying life together.